Last Minute Vacations To Aruba

Quick Facts

Aruba is a 33 km long island located in the southern Caribbean. It is found 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 130 km east of Columbia. This island is one of four constituent countries that form the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Citizens of Aruba are also Dutch Citizens. As it lies outside of the hurricane belt and its climate is dry, warm and sunny, it has become a popular tourist destination. The west coast of the island is lined with beautiful white beaches, while the east coast is lined with rough limestone cliffs and sand dunes. Aruba is also a popular cruise ship destination.

Getting There, Getting Around & Other Transportation

The Aruba airport, Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix, is located in the capital city of Oranjestad. If you flight is booked as part of an all-inclusive vacation, your transportation to and from the airport is likely covered. If it is not, you can rely on a taxi, car rentals, scooter rentals, or public buses.

Remember, if you are renting a car or scooter, traffic in Oranjestad is heavy, especially when cruise ships are in port.

Hotels &Places to Stay

Lodging on the island is a competitive business and it shows in the quality of their hotels and the service of the staff. You can either stay in the bustling city of Oranjestad, on a low-rise boutique hotel area on the coastal beaches of Eagle Beach, or on the glamorous high-rise area of Palm Beach.

Here are some places to stay in Oranjestad:

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

Talk of the Town Hotel & Beach Club

Here are some places to stay on Eagle Beach:

Amsterdam Manor Aruba Beach Resort

Aruba Beach Club

Arubiana Inn

Costa Linda Beach Resort

Here are some places to stay on Palm Beach:

Aruba Divi Phoenix Beach Resort

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

Caribbean Palm Village Resort

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino

Dining & Nightlife

Most popular for its red snapper, here are some places to check out local cuisine:

Aqua Grill (Palm Beach)

Driftwood (Oranjestad)

Le Petit Café (Eagle Beach)

As far as nightlife goes, try your luck gambling at:

Seaport Casino (Oranjestad)

Alhambra Casino (Eagle Beach)

Occidental Grand Casino (Pam Beach)

For theaters with Las Vegas-style shows, try:

Havana Dance! At the Renaissance’s Crystal Theater (Oranjestad)

Las Palmas Showroom (Palm Beach)

Attractions & Things to Do

The capital city, Oranjestad, showcases Dutch architecture and is the island’s bustling hotspot.

If hiking is your forte, take a trip to the Arikok National Park to see abandoned gold mines, and to explore the sea-side cave systems. Another popular hiking destination is to see the local ‘Divi-divi trees’. For this, you must venture east of the capital to Ayo and Casibari rock formations.

Currency, Culture and Language

The official language in Aruba is Dutch. However, schools require students to learn both English and Spanish.

The official currency in Aruba is the Aruban Guilder/Florin (AWG). In comparison to 1 CAD, the conversion is roughly 1.8 AWG.